A Granger man, along with two of the family cats, died in a residential fire that started in the basement.
The Clay Fire Territory responded to a “small” residential fire in the 13000 block of Lexington Circle around 1:10 a.m. May 6, Clay Fire Marshal Ron Melser told The Tribune. As fire crews arrived, Melser said, the fire was put out quickly and they dealt with a lot smoke throughout the home.
Firefighters from Mishawaka, Edwardsburg, Cleveland Township and Osolo Township in Elkhart assisted in the rescue by bringing tankers, Melser said.
Firefighters rescued one person, Stephen Getz, 41, from the fire, Melser said. Getz was transported to the hospital and died later the same day from his injuries, the St. Joseph County Police Department confirmed.
Getz’s family, four others, were already outside the home when fire crews arrived, Melser confirmed. Additionally, two of the family’s five cats died in the home, he said. The cats were found upstairs throughout the house, he said, saying he believes the cats died from the smoke.
Clay Fire, along with the office of state fire marshal with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are conducting the fire investigation. Melser did not provide a preliminary cause.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Granger man dies from injuries after home fire; 2 cats dead from smoke
Reporting by Camille Sarabia, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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